Racing Roundtable: D. Wayne Lukas' retirement, Stephen Foster lookahead

This week, the Racing Roundtable of Vance Hanson, James Scully, and Ashley Anderson look back on the career of Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas upon the announcement of his retirement, examine the top performances from the weekend, and look ahead to the Stephen Foster Day card at Churchill Downs on closing weekend of the spring meet.

On Sunday, Churchill Downs announced the retirement of Lukas following his hospitalization from a severe infection. Lukas' family said the 89-year-old trainer would forgo an aggressive treatment plan and return home to spend time with his family. His horses have been transferred to assistant trainer Sebastian "Bas" Nicholl.

Lukas, known as "The Coach," earned 4,967 documented wins as a Thoroughbred trainer and 739 more in Quarter Horse racing. His final win in Thoroughbred racing came on June 12 in a second-level allowance at Churchill Downs.

Over the course of a nearly six-decade career, four-time Eclipse Award winner Lukas won 15 Triple Crown races and 20 Breeders' Cup races. His ultimate Triple Crown tally came in 2024 with Seize the Grey in the Preakness. His last of five Kentucky Oaks (G1) triumphs occurred with Secret Oath in 2022. The daughter of Arrogate would go on to finish fourth in the Preakness and later won the Azeri (G2) as a four-year-old.

Lukas' final Kentucky Derby (G1) starter ran in the 2025 edition of the Run for the Roses, where American Promise came home 16th before placing eighth in the Preakness.

Lukas entered three runners on Saturday's Stephen Foster Day card at Churchill Downs. Track Legend, a $550,000 purchase, is a two-year-old by Charlatan entered in a $120,000 maiden special weight in Race 5.

Lukas also entered Bestfriend Rocket in a 1 1/8-mile allowance optional claimer in Race 3, and Ashcroft, a five-year-old by Munnings, in the $1 million Stephen Foster (G1).

Join us for our LIVE coverage during Stephen Foster Day as we include all the major stakes races at Churchill Downs for this Horse Racing Weekend on Saturday! Our LIVE coverage will include Churchill Downs expert picks, LIVE odds, exclusive interviews, and other horse racing news. Discover the thrill of Churchill Downs starting at 3:30 PM ET through the Stephen Stakes at 6:03 PM ET.